JP6241467B2 - Imaging apparatus, imaging control apparatus, imaging method, imaging control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging control apparatus, an imaging method, an imaging control method, and a program.

  Conventionally, a plurality of imaging devices perform wireless communication operations using a synchronous communication method, and using the communication clocks synchronized by the communication operations, the imaging clocks of the respective imaging devices are synchronized. A technique is known in which a plurality of imaging devices perform shooting in synchronization with timing (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2014-11529 A JP 2014-11633 A

  However, in the case of the above-mentioned patent document, in order to synchronize the shooting timings of a plurality of imaging apparatuses using wireless communication of a synchronous communication method, for example, it is necessary to use a ring buffer or RTC time information. There was a problem that there was.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device, an imaging control device, an imaging method, an imaging control method, and a program that can perform synchronous imaging more effectively using wireless communication of a synchronous communication method. .

In order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention provides:
Synchronous communication means for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication by the synchronous communication means with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
Broadcast receiving means for receiving broadcast radio signals transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
Wherein and a first imaging control means for the imaging in broadcast timing when the radio signal communication is received by the broadcast reception means,
The first shooting control means immediately takes a picture as if the shooting was instructed when the broadcast radio signal was received by the broadcast communication receiving means, regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. It is characterized by performing imaging by the first imaging method for executing the above.

An imaging control device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:
Synchronous communication means for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
When a radio signal for broadcast communication is received , the synchronous communication means wirelessly communicates with a plurality of imaging devices that immediately perform shooting as instructed to shoot regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state for communication;
Instructing means for instructing imaging timing synchronized by the plurality of imaging devices;
The shooting timing instructed by the instruction means, the broadcast transmitting means for transmitting a radio signal of the broadcast as an object a plurality of imaging devices has become the communication synchronization state,
It is characterized by having.
In addition, an imaging control device according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
Synchronous communication means for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication by the synchronous communication means with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
Broadcast receiving means for receiving broadcast radio signals transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
First shooting control means for shooting at the timing when the broadcast radio signal is received by the broadcast receiving means,
The first shooting control means immediately takes a picture as if the shooting was instructed when the broadcast radio signal was received by the broadcast communication receiving means, regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. A first image capturing method for executing image capturing, and a second image capturing for determining whether or not the data content of the broadcast communication is for instructing image capturing, and for performing image capturing when the image capturing is instructed. Of the still image shooting methods, shooting is performed by any one of the selected methods.

In addition, an imaging method according to the present invention includes:
An imaging method using an imaging apparatus that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
A process of shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
A process of receiving radio signals for broadcast communication transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
When the wireless signal of the broadcast communication is received , regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication, a process of immediately performing shooting as an instruction for shooting ,
It is characterized by including.

In addition, an imaging control method according to the present invention includes:
An imaging control method using an imaging control device that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
When a wireless signal for broadcast communication is received, the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method is performed with a plurality of imaging apparatuses that immediately perform shooting as instructed to perform shooting regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. A process of shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform communication;
A process of instructing the synchronized shooting timing of the plurality of imaging devices;
At the indicated photographing timing, a process of transmitting a radio signal of the broadcast as an object a plurality of imaging devices has become the communication synchronization state,
It is characterized by including.

The program according to the present invention is
A computer of an imaging apparatus that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method that transmits and receives data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
Broadcast communication receiving means for receiving broadcast radio signals transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
Wherein A program to function as the imaging control means for radio signals broadcast communication is taken by the received timing by the broadcast reception means,
When the broadcast communication receiving means receives the broadcast communication radio signal, the shooting control means immediately executes shooting as an instruction for shooting regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. It is characterized by that.

The program according to the present invention is
A computer of an imaging control apparatus that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
When a wireless signal for broadcast communication is received, the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method is performed with a plurality of imaging apparatuses that immediately perform shooting as instructed to perform shooting regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform communication;
Instructing means for instructing photographing timing synchronized with the plurality of imaging devices,
The shooting timing instructed by the instruction means, broadcast transmitting means for transmitting a radio signal of the broadcast as an object a plurality of imaging devices has become the communication synchronization state,
It is characterized by making it function as.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, synchronous imaging | photography can be performed more effectively using the radio | wireless communication of a synchronous communication system.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the radio | wireless synchronization system of one Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the imaging device which comprises the radio | wireless synchronous system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the imaging control apparatus which comprises the radio | wireless synchronous system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control module of a radio | wireless control part. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation related to communication processing by the wireless synchronization system of FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the communication process of FIG.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless synchronization system 100 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
As shown in FIG. 1, a wireless synchronization system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of imaging devices 1 that perform wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) of a synchronous communication method (in FIG. 1, three wireless devices). Imaging devices 1A to 1C are shown) and an imaging control device 2.

First, the imaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging apparatus 1.
Here, the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Serve as slaves in synchronous communication wireless communication, but the configuration and operation are substantially the same, and thus the imaging device 1 </ b> A will be described as an example. Note that all the imaging devices 1 are not necessarily the same model.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the imaging apparatus 1A includes a central control unit 101, a memory 102, an imaging unit 103, an imaging control unit 104, an image processing unit 105, a recording medium control unit 106, and an operation input unit 107. And a wireless control unit 108.
The central control unit 101, the memory 102, the imaging unit 103, the imaging control unit 104, the image processing unit 105, the recording medium control unit 106, and the wireless control unit 108 are connected via a bus line 109.

  The central control unit 101 controls each unit of the imaging apparatus 1A. Specifically, although not shown, the central control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and includes various processing programs (illustrated) for the imaging apparatus 1A. Various control operations are performed according to (omitted).

  The memory 102 is configured by, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and temporarily records data processed by each unit of the imaging apparatus 1A in addition to the central control unit 101.

  The imaging unit 103 constitutes an imaging unit that images a subject. Specifically, the imaging unit 103 includes a lens unit 103a and an electronic imaging unit 103b.

The lens unit 103a includes a plurality of lenses such as a zoom lens and a focus lens, for example.
The electronic imaging unit 103b is composed of an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), and converts an optical image that has passed through various lenses of the lens unit 103a into a two-dimensional image signal. To do.
Although illustration is omitted, the imaging unit 103 may include an aperture that adjusts the amount of light passing through the lens unit 103a.

  The imaging control unit 104 controls imaging of a subject by the imaging unit 103. In other words, the imaging control unit 104 includes a timing generator, a driver, and the like, although not illustrated. The imaging control unit 104 scans and drives the electronic imaging unit 103b with a timing generator and a driver, and converts the optical image formed by the lens unit 103a into a two-dimensional image signal with the electronic imaging unit 103b at every predetermined period. Then, the frame image is read out from the imaging area of the electronic imaging unit 103b for each screen and output to the image processing unit 105.

  The imaging control unit 104 includes a first control unit 104a, a shooting clock synchronization unit 104b, and a second control unit 104c.

The first control unit (first shooting control unit) 104 a controls shooting of a still image by the imaging unit 103.
In other words, the first control unit 104 a causes the radio control unit 108 to capture an image of the broadcast radio signal transmitted from the imaging control device 2. Specifically, when a radio signal for broadcast communication is received by the radio control unit 108, the radio control unit 108 receives the radio signal for broadcast communication as an opportunity to transmit the radio signal for the broadcast communication. Is output to the central control unit 101 (see FIG. 6). When the central control unit 101 receives the still image interrupt signal output from the wireless control unit 108, the central control unit 101 executes the still image shooting process as an interrupt process based on the still image interrupt signal. A control signal is output to the imaging control unit 104. Then, the first control unit 104 a of the imaging control unit 104 causes the imaging unit 103 to capture a still image.
Since the above-described control of still image shooting is performed by all the imaging devices 1,..., Still image shooting by the imaging unit 103 is performed in a synchronized state with all the imaging devices 1.

In addition, the first control unit 104a captures a still image by any one selected from the first still image capturing method and the second still image capturing method. The selection of the imaging method is performed, for example, by the user performing a predetermined operation on the imaging control device 2 in advance. In this case, a signal instructing the determined imaging method is wirelessly transmitted to all the imaging devices 1.
Note that the imaging method may be selected based on a predetermined operation of any one of the plurality of imaging devices 1,... (For example, the imaging device 1A). A signal for instructing the imaging method is wirelessly transmitted to the other imaging devices 1 (for example, the imaging devices 1B and 1C) and the imaging control device 2.

In the first still image capturing method, when a wireless signal of broadcast communication is received by the wireless control unit 108, the image capturing unit 103 is instructed to capture a still image regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. In this method, a still image is immediately taken.
Here, the first control unit 104a satisfies a predetermined condition, for example, that the synchronous shooting mode is set in advance when the radio signal of the broadcast communication is received by the radio control unit 108. As a condition, still image shooting may be performed by the first still image shooting method.
Also, in the second still image shooting method, is the data content of this broadcast communication instructing the image capturing unit 103 to shoot a still image when a wireless signal of the broadcast communication is received by the wireless control unit 108? This is a method of executing still image shooting when the central control unit 101 determines whether or not the image is instructed to instruct still image shooting.

  In addition, when the first control unit 104a receives a broadcast radio signal transmitted from the imaging control device 2 while capturing a moving image under the control of the second control unit 104c, the first control unit 104a captures a still image.

The imaging clock synchronization unit (imaging clock synchronization means) 104b synchronizes its own imaging clock with its own communication clock.
That is, in the communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized, the wireless control unit 108 performs another imaging device every predetermined time interval (for example, 250 ms) from the reference clock. 1 (for example, the imaging devices 1B, 1C, etc.) is synchronized with its own communication clock. Then, the shooting clock synchronization unit 104b generates its own shooting clock using its own communication clock generated by the wireless control unit 108, so that the shooting clock synchronization unit 104b uses its own shooting clock for its own shooting clock. Synchronize the clock.

The second control unit (second shooting control unit) 104 c controls the shooting of moving images by the imaging unit 103.
That is, the second control unit 104c is synchronized by the photographing clock synchronization unit 104b with its own communication clock that is synchronized with another imaging device 1 (for example, the imaging devices 1B, 1C, etc.). Photographing is performed by the imaging unit 103 in synchronization with its own photographing clock.
For example, when a moving image shooting start instruction transmitted from the imaging control device 2 is received by the wireless control unit 108, the wireless control unit 108 receives the moving image shooting start instruction as a trigger. A moving image interrupt signal (second interrupt signal) synchronized with the transmission timing of the start instruction is output to the central control unit 101 (see FIG. 6). When the moving image interrupt signal output from the wireless control unit 108 is input, the central control unit 101 receives a moving image capturing process as an interrupt process based on the moving image interrupt signal. Is output to the imaging control unit 104.
The second control unit 104 c of the imaging control unit 104 causes the imaging unit 103 to start capturing a moving image. Specifically, the second control unit 104c identifies the frame number of the frame image constituting the moving image by counting up the shooting clock synchronized with its own communication clock by the shooting clock synchronization unit 104b. Then, a signal (for example, a signal indicating the 0th frame image) is generated that indicates the timing for matching the frame numbers of the moving images with the other imaging devices 1. Then, the second control unit 104c outputs the generated signal to the wireless control unit 108, and the wireless control unit 108 transmits the input signal to another imaging device 1 by wireless communication using a synchronous communication method. .
Since the above-described control of moving image shooting is performed by all of the imaging devices 1,...

The image processing unit 105 generates image data of an image obtained by imaging the subject.
Specifically, the image processing unit 105 appropriately adjusts the gain for each of the RGB color components with respect to the analog value signal of the frame image transferred from the electronic imaging unit 103b, and then performs sampling with a sample hold circuit (not shown). After being held and converted into digital data by an A / D converter (not shown), color process processing including pixel interpolation processing and γ correction processing is performed by a color process circuit (not shown), and then a digital luminance signal Y And color difference signals Cb and Cr (YUV data) are generated.

When displaying a live view image on the imaging control apparatus 2, the image processing unit 105 generates image data for displaying each frame image constituting the live view image and outputs the image data to the wireless control unit 108. To do. The wireless control unit 108 transmits the input image data to the imaging control apparatus 2 via the communication antenna 108a.
When recording an image, the image processing unit 105 compresses the YUV data of the subject according to a predetermined encoding method (for example, JPEG format, motion JPEG format, MPEG format, etc.), and the recording medium control unit 106. Output to.

The recording medium control unit 106 is configured so that the recording medium 106a is detachable, and controls reading of data from the loaded recording medium 106a and writing of data to the recording medium 106a.
That is, the recording medium control unit 106 performs predetermined recording on the recording medium 106a for recording image data encoded by the image processing unit 105 in a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG format, motion JPEG format, MPEG format, etc.). Record in the area.
The recording medium 106a is constituted by, for example, a nonvolatile memory (flash memory).

The operation input unit 107 is for performing a predetermined operation of the imaging apparatus 1A.
Specifically, the operation input unit 107 includes, for example, a power button for turning on / off the power of the apparatus main body, a shutter button for instructing imaging of a subject, and a selection determination button for instructing selection of an imaging mode, a function, etc. Are also not shown).
When various buttons are operated by the user, the operation input unit 107 outputs an operation instruction corresponding to the operated button to the central control unit 101. The central control unit 101 causes each unit to execute a predetermined operation in accordance with the operation instruction output from the operation input unit 107 and input.

The wireless control unit 108 performs communication control with an external device (for example, another imaging device 1 or imaging control device 2) connected via a predetermined wireless communication line.
That is, the wireless control unit 108 transmits and receives data by wireless communication using a synchronous communication method (for example, Bluetooth). For example, the wireless control unit 108 includes a control module M for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method based on the Bluetooth communication standard with an external device via the communication antenna 108a.
The configuration of the control module M of the wireless control unit 108 will be described later (see FIG. 4).

Next, the imaging control device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging control apparatus 2.

The imaging control device 2 serves as a master in synchronous communication wireless communication. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the imaging control apparatus 2 includes a central control unit 201, a memory 202, a display unit 203, a display control unit 204, a recording medium control unit 205, and an operation input unit 206. And a wireless control unit 207 and the like.
The central control unit 201, the memory 202, the display control unit 204, the recording medium control unit 205, and the wireless control unit 207 are connected via a bus line 208.

  Note that the imaging control device 2 may be a dedicated device corresponding to the imaging device 1, for example, or may be configured from a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Data Assistants), or the like.

  The central control unit 201 controls each unit of the imaging control device 2. Specifically, the central control unit 201 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown), and includes various processing programs for the imaging control device 2 ( Various control operations are performed according to (not shown).

  The memory 202 is constituted by, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and temporarily records data processed by each unit of the imaging control apparatus 2 in addition to the central control unit 201.

  The display unit 203 includes, for example, an LCD and displays various information in the display area under the control of the CPU of the central control unit 201. Specifically, for example, the display unit 203 displays an application screen (for example, a live view image display screen or a remote operation screen) in the display area in accordance with the image signal output from the display control unit 204.

  The display control unit 204 generates an application screen based on execution of various application programs (for example, a live view image display program, a remote operation program, etc .; not shown) by the CPU of the central control unit 201, and the generated application An image signal according to the screen is output to the display unit 203.

The recording medium control unit 205 is configured so that the recording medium 205a is detachable, and controls reading of data from the loaded recording medium 205a and writing of data to the recording medium 205a.
That is, for example, the recording medium control unit 205 captures image data of a still image or a moving image captured by the imaging device 1 and transmitted and transmitted from the imaging device 1 through wireless communication in a predetermined recording area of the recording medium 205a. Let me record.
The recording medium 205a is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory (flash memory).

The operation input unit 206 is for inputting various instructions to the imaging control device 2 main body.
Specifically, the operation input unit 206 includes, for example, a power button for turning on / off the power of the imaging control apparatus 2 main body, an up / down / left / right cursor button and a determination button (all illustrated) Abbreviation).
When various buttons are operated by the user, the operation input unit 206 outputs an operation instruction corresponding to the operated button to the central control unit 201. The central control unit 201 causes each unit to execute a predetermined operation (for example, a synchronous communication operation) according to an operation instruction output from the operation input unit 206 and input.

  Note that the operation input unit 206 may include a touch panel provided integrally with the display unit 203. Based on a predetermined operation of the touch panel by the user, an operation instruction corresponding to the predetermined operation is given to the central control unit. You may output to 201.

The wireless control unit 207 performs communication control with an external device (for example, the imaging device 1) connected via a predetermined wireless communication line.
That is, the wireless control unit 207 has substantially the same configuration as the wireless control unit 108 of the imaging apparatus 1 and transmits and receives data by wireless communication using a synchronous communication method (for example, Bluetooth). For example, the wireless control unit 207 includes a control module M for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method based on the Bluetooth communication standard with an external device via the communication antenna 207a.
The configuration of the control module M of the wireless control unit 207 will be described later (see FIG. 4).

Next, the control module M of the radio control units 108 and 207 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control module M. As shown in FIG.

  The configuration itself of the control module M is substantially the same between the one provided in the wireless control unit 108 of the imaging device 1 and the one provided in the wireless control unit 207 of the imaging control device 2, but the master in synchronous communication type wireless communication The operation content differs depending on whether the image pickup control device 2 is provided or the image pickup device 1 that is a slave.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control module M includes a synchronous communication unit M1, a synchronous communication control unit M2, a broadcast transmission unit M3, and a broadcast reception unit M4.

A synchronous communication unit (synchronous communication means) M1 performs synchronous communication wireless communication with an external device.
In other words, the synchronous communication unit M1 performs wireless communication in a synchronous communication method in which data is transmitted and received in a communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner is synchronized with the communication clock of the communication partner M1. In this synchronous communication wireless communication, three or more devices are simultaneously brought into a communication synchronization state. For example, in the case of synchronous communication wireless communication based on the Bluetooth communication standard, a maximum of eight devices are connected. Form a piconet where you can participate.

  The synchronous communication unit M1 of the control module M included in the imaging control device 2 to be a master in synchronous communication wireless communication is generated by, for example, a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (not shown) under the control of the synchronous communication control unit M2. The high-accuracy reference clock to be transmitted is transmitted at a constant cycle by radio waves. Further, the synchronous communication unit M1 of the imaging control device 2 serving as a master generates its own communication clock synchronized with the reference clock at every predetermined time interval (for example, 250 ms) from its own reference clock.

In addition, the synchronous communication unit M1 of the control module M included in the plurality of imaging devices 1 to be slaves in the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method is an imaging control device that controls synchronized imaging by the plurality of imaging devices 1. 2 and wireless communication in the synchronous communication system. Specifically, the synchronous communication unit M1 of the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Receives the reference clock transmitted from the synchronous communication unit M1 of the imaging control device 2 via the communication antenna 108a, and receives a predetermined clock from the reference clock. It generates its own communication clock synchronized with the reference clock every time interval (for example, 250 ms). Further, based on a predetermined operation of the imaging control device 2 as a master by the user, a moving image shooting start instruction is transmitted from the wireless control unit 207 of the imaging control device 2, and a plurality of moving image shooting start instructions are received. When received by the wireless control unit 108 of the imaging device 1,..., The synchronous communication unit M1 of the wireless control unit 108 receives a moving image shooting start instruction as a trigger, and a moving image interrupt signal synchronized with the communication clock. (Second interrupt signal) is output to the central control unit 101.
In addition, the synchronous communication unit M1 of the control module M included in the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Receives a broadcast radio signal transmitted from the broadcast transmission unit M3 of the imaging control device 2 as the plurality of imaging devices 1. When received by the broadcast communication receiving unit M4, the still image interrupt signal (first interrupt) synchronized with the transmission timing of the broadcast radio signal is triggered by the reception of the broadcast radio signal. Output signal) to the central control unit 101.

The synchronous communication control unit (communication control unit) M2 shifts to a communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication with the external device by the synchronous communication unit M1.
That is, the synchronous communication control unit M2 of the control module M provided in the imaging control device 2 serving as a master in the synchronous communication wireless communication performs wireless communication with the plurality of imaging devices 1 through the synchronous communication unit M1. To the communication synchronization state.
In addition, the synchronous communication control unit M2 of the control module M included in the plurality of imaging devices 1 serving as slaves in the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method is another imaging device 1 (for example, the imaging device 1B, 1C, etc.) to perform wireless communication by the synchronous communication unit M1.
Specifically, the synchronous communication control unit M2 of the imaging control device 2 serving as a master, for example, in the “synchronization establishment phase”, a piconet having a plurality of imaging devices 1,... As slaves in the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method. Then, a reference clock is transmitted from the synchronous communication unit M1 by a radio wave at a constant cycle. The synchronous communication control unit M2 of the plurality of imaging devices 1 serving as slaves is synchronized with the reference clock every predetermined time interval (for example, 250 ms) from the reference clock transmitted from the synchronous communication unit M1 of the imaging control device 2. The synchronous communication unit M1 is caused to generate its own communication clock. The generation of the own communication clock is performed in all of the imaging devices 1,..., And the own communication clock is in phase synchronization with the communication clock of the communication partner. The phase synchronization of the communication clock with the imaging devices 1 is established.

The broadcast transmission unit M3 transmits a radio signal for broadcast communication.
That is, the CPU of the central control unit (instruction unit) 201 of the imaging control device 2 serving as a master in the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method, for example, based on a predetermined operation of the operation input unit 206 by the user, A signal instructing the shooting timing of the still image synchronized with ... is output to the wireless control unit 207. When a signal indicating the shooting timing is input, the broadcast transmission unit (broadcast transmission unit) M3 of the control module M included in the wireless control unit 207 is in a communication synchronization state at the shooting timing indicated by this signal. A plurality of (for example, three or more) imaging devices 1... Are transmitted as broadcast signals (sometimes referred to as simultaneous broadcast communication or broadcast). At this time, the broadcast transmission unit M3 transmits a radio signal of the broadcast communication to all the imaging devices 1 in the communication synchronization state in synchronization with the communication clocks synchronized with each other.

The broadcast communication receiving unit M4 receives a radio signal for broadcast communication.
That is, the broadcast receiving unit (broadcast receiving unit) M4 of the control module M included in the plurality of imaging devices 1 serving as slaves in the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method is broadcasted by the imaging control device 2 serving as the master. Broadcast communication radio signals transmitted from the communication transmission unit M3 to the plurality of imaging devices 1 in a communication synchronization state are received.
The wireless control unit 108 of the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Outputs a still image interrupt signal to the central control unit 101 in response to reception of a broadcast wireless signal, and the central control unit 101 When an interrupt signal is input, a control signal for executing still image shooting processing as interrupt processing is output to the imaging control unit 104.

<Communication processing>
Next, communication processing by the wireless synchronization system 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation related to communication processing by the wireless synchronization system 100. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the communication process.

  Note that in the communication processing described below, when a radio signal for broadcast communication is received by the wireless control unit 108 of the imaging device 1, a still image is captured in advance by the first still image capturing method. It is assumed that a predetermined condition such as the synchronous shooting mode being set is satisfied.

In the communication process, the imaging control device 2 that controls synchronous imaging is selected in advance and set as a master in a piconet (one of communication methods for simultaneously connecting a plurality of devices in the Bluetooth communication standard). . Subsequently, a plurality of imaging devices 1,... Participating in the synchronous imaging are selected and set as slaves in the above-described piconet (the selected imaging control device 2 is a master piconet).
The selection of the imaging control device 2 and the imaging device 1 and the setting of the master and the slave are performed as a master or a slave by operating the imaging control device 2 that controls the synchronous shooting or the imaging device 1 that participates in the synchronous shooting. This is done by performing a setting operation to make it function.
In this case, when there are a plurality of devices (imaging control devices 2) that can be masters, one of them is selected. In addition, not all of the imaging devices 1 having a function of participating in synchronous shooting are set as piconet slaves, but only a plurality of imaging devices 1 that actually participate in synchronous shooting are set as piconet slaves.

The selection of the imaging control device 2 and the imaging device 1 and the setting of the master and the slave may be automatically performed in addition to the method manually performed by the user. For example, the device that is first set to the synchronous shooting mode by the user is selected as the imaging control device 2 and is automatically set as a master, or the imaging device 1 in a state suitable for shooting a specific subject is detected. You may automatically set as a slave.
When a piconet is formed between the selected imaging control device 2 and the plurality of imaging devices 1,..., A transition is made to a communication synchronization state between these devices.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, the synchronous communication control unit M2 of the wireless control unit 207 provided in the imaging control device 2 transmits a high-accuracy reference clock from the synchronous communication unit M1 through the communication antenna 207a at a constant cycle. (Step S1).
The synchronous communication unit M1 of the wireless control unit 108 of the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Receives the reference clock transmitted from the synchronous communication unit M1 of the imaging control device 2 via the communication antenna 108a, and receives a predetermined clock from the reference clock. A self-communication clock synchronized with the reference clock is generated every time interval (for example, 250 ms) (step S2). That is, the wireless control unit 108 of each imaging device 1 synchronizes the cycle and timing of the communication clock periodically generated by the communication clock generation unit of its own synchronous communication unit M1 with the reference clock of the imaging control device 2. .
Thereby, the phase synchronization of the communication clock between the imaging control device 2 and the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Is established (step S3). In this communication synchronization state, communication data synchronized with the communication clock can be transmitted and received at an arbitrary timing. For example, image data of a live view image captured by a plurality of imaging devices 1,... Is wirelessly transmitted to the imaging control device 2, and the display control unit 204 of the imaging control device 2 displays the live view image on the display unit 203. The processing to be performed is performed.
This communication synchronization state is maintained while the reference clock is periodically transmitted from the imaging control device 2.

Thereafter, the CPU of the central control unit 201 of the imaging control device 2 determines whether or not a signal instructing to start capturing a moving image is input based on a predetermined operation of the operation input unit 206 by the user (step S4). .
If it is determined that a signal for instructing the start of moving image shooting is not input (step S4; NO), the CPU of the central control unit 201 has received a signal for instructing the start of moving image shooting. The process of determining whether or not is repeated at predetermined time intervals.

  If it is determined in step S4 that a signal instructing start of moving image shooting has been input (step S4; YES), the CPU of the central control unit 201 sends a signal instructing start of moving image shooting to the wireless control unit. The synchronous communication unit M1 of the wireless control unit 207 transmits an instruction to start capturing a moving image to the plurality of imaging devices 1 through the communication antenna 207a (step S5).

In the plurality of imaging devices 1,..., When a moving image shooting start instruction is received by the wireless control unit 108, the wireless control unit 108 starts taking a moving image triggered by reception of the moving image shooting start instruction. A video interrupt signal synchronized with the instruction transmission timing is output to the central control unit 101 (step S6; see FIG. 6).
When the moving image interrupt signal is input to the central control unit 101, the central control unit 101 outputs a control signal for executing a moving image shooting process as an interrupt process to the imaging control unit 104. The shooting clock synchronization unit 104b generates its own shooting clock using its own communication clock, and synchronizes its own shooting clock with its own communication clock (step S7). That is, the imaging control unit 104 of each imaging apparatus 1 synchronizes the cycle and timing of the imaging clock periodically generated by the imaging clock generation unit 104b of the imaging device 1 with the communication clock.
Here, the example of outputting the moving image interrupt signal and synchronizing the shooting clock triggered by the reception of the moving image shooting start instruction has been described. However, when the synchronization is established in step S3, the moving image interrupt signal is output. May be synchronized with the shooting clock.

  Subsequently, the second control unit 104c causes the imaging unit 103 to start capturing a moving image when receiving a signal instructing to start capturing a moving image (step S8). Specifically, the second control unit 104c first initializes the frame number of a moving image frame to be shot in order to start shooting a moving image, and other imaging devices 1 (for example, the imaging devices 1B and 1C). The initial value of the frame number is matched with Thereafter, the second control unit 104c uses the shooting clock synchronized with its own communication clock by the shooting clock synchronization unit 104b to execute shooting of each moving image frame while counting the frame number. The shooting timing of each moving image frame is matched with another imaging device 1 (for example, the imaging devices 1B, 1C, etc.), and the frame number being counted is matched with that of the other imaging device 1. Thereby, the imaging unit 103 captures a moving image in a state in which the imaging timing and the frame number of the moving image are synchronized in all the imaging devices 1.

  Note that the process of matching the frame numbers with other imaging devices 1 (for example, the imaging devices 1B and 1C) may be performed after the imaging unit 103 starts capturing a moving image. That is, at the time of initializing the frame number, even if the shooting timing of each moving image frame matches (synchronizes) even if the frame number does not match that of the other imaging device 1, the frame number is set at a certain timing after the start of shooting. At the time of this transmission, for example, the frame number of the imaging device 1A is “100” and the frame number of the imaging device 1B is “120”, and there is a difference between “20” frames. Alternatively, the frame number may be reassigned at that time (or after photographing) using the information on the difference in the number of frames.

After that, the CPU of the central control unit 201 of the imaging control device 2 receives a signal instructing the shooting timing of a still image in which the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Are synchronized based on a predetermined operation of the operation input unit 206 by the user. It is determined whether or not (step S9).
Here, if it is determined that a signal for instructing the shooting timing of a still image has not been input (step S9; NO), the CPU of the central control unit 201 has received a signal for instructing the timing for shooting a still image. The process of determining whether or not is repeated at predetermined time intervals.

  If it is determined in step S9 that a signal instructing the still image shooting timing has been input (step S9; YES), the CPU of the central control unit 201 sends a signal instructing the still image shooting timing to the wireless control unit. The broadcast communication transmission unit M3 of the wireless control unit 207 outputs the information to the plurality of imaging devices 1 in a communication synchronization state at the photographing timing instructed by this signal and synchronizes with each other. A radio signal for broadcast communication is transmitted in synchronization with the clock for use (step S10). The broadcast radio signal is transmitted without designating a specific transmission partner, and all devices belonging to the same piconet simultaneously receive the same broadcast radio signal. Thereby, compared with the case where a radio signal is individually transmitted to a plurality of devices (for example, even when a plurality of radio signals are transmitted at close timing at the same time), the synchronization of notification timing is improved.

In the plurality of imaging devices 1,..., When a wireless signal for broadcast communication is received by the wireless control unit 108, the wireless control unit 108 receives the wireless signal for broadcast communication as a trigger. A still image interrupt signal synchronized with the signal transmission timing is output to the central control unit 101 (step S11; see FIG. 6).
When the still image interrupt signal is input to the central control unit 101, the central control unit 101 outputs a control signal for causing the still image shooting process to be executed as an interrupt process to the imaging control unit 104. The first control unit 104a 104 causes the imaging unit 103 to capture a still image (step S12). As a result, still images are captured by the imaging unit 103 in a state in which all the imaging devices 1 are synchronized.

Thereafter, the CPU of the central control unit 201 of the imaging control device 2 determines whether or not a signal instructing the end of moving image shooting is input based on a predetermined operation of the operation input unit 206 by the user (step S13). .
Here, if it is determined that a signal for instructing the end of moving image shooting has not been input (step S13; NO), the CPU of the central control unit 201 returns the processing to step S9, and sets the still image shooting timing. It is determined whether an instruction signal is input.

  If it is determined in step S13 that a signal instructing the end of moving image shooting has been input (step S13; YES), the CPU of the central control unit 201 sends a signal instructing the end of moving image shooting to the wireless control unit. Then, the synchronous communication unit M1 of the wireless control unit 207 transmits a moving image shooting end instruction to the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Via the communication antenna 207a (step S14).

In the plurality of imaging devices 1,..., When the wireless control unit 108 receives a moving image shooting end instruction, the wireless control unit 108 receives the moving image shooting end instruction and receives the moving image shooting end instruction. A video interrupt signal synchronized with the instruction transmission timing is output to the central control unit 101 (step S15).
When the moving image interrupt signal is input to the central control unit 101, the central control unit 101 outputs a control signal for executing a moving image shooting process as an interrupt process to the imaging control unit 104. The second control unit 104c ends the shooting of the moving image by the imaging unit 103 (step S16).

  As described above, according to the wireless synchronization system 100 of the present embodiment, the plurality of imaging devices 1,... And the imaging control device 2 synchronize the communication synchronization in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the own communication clock are synchronized. When wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a state (for example, wireless communication of a synchronous communication method based on the Bluetooth communication standard) is performed and a photographing timing in which a plurality of imaging devices 1,. The control device 2 transmits broadcast communication radio signals to the plurality of imaging devices 1,... In communication synchronization state at the instructed shooting timing, and the plurality of imaging devices 1,. Since the photographing is performed synchronously at the timing when the communication wireless signal is received, the photographing of the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Can be performed without using the ring buffer, the time information of the RTC, or the like as in the past. Can be synchronized timing, thereby, it is possible to perform more effectively utilized to synchronize capturing the radio communication of the synchronous communication mode.

In addition, when a plurality of imaging devices 1,..., For example, satisfy a predetermined condition, when a broadcast radio signal is received, the image capturing apparatus 1 is stopped regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. By capturing still images by the first still image capturing method that immediately executes still image capturing assuming that image capturing has been instructed, synchronization of the capturing timings of the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Therefore, synchronized shooting of still images can be performed with higher accuracy.
On the other hand, when a plurality of imaging devices 1,... Receive a wireless signal for broadcast communication, it is determined whether or not the data content of the broadcast communication is an instruction to shoot a still image, By taking a still image by the second still image shooting method that executes still image shooting when instructing to take a still image, for example, a complicated condition that satisfies a predetermined condition in advance is performed. Not only does setting become unnecessary, but the cost can be reduced by simplifying the wiring of the control module M and the like.
Further, the user can select and perform still image shooting by any one of the first still image shooting method and the second still image shooting method. That is, for example, the user can select and perform still image shooting by a desired method depending on whether or not synchronized shooting is desired to be performed with high accuracy and whether or not complicated settings are required. And convenience can be improved.

  Further, the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Synchronize their imaging clocks with their own communication clocks synchronized with the other imaging devices 1, and synchronize with their own imaging clocks. Since the image capturing unit 103 captures the image, it is possible to perform the image capturing synchronized with timing different from the image capturing performed based on the radio signal of the broadcast communication. For example, by identifying the frame number of the frame image that constitutes the moving image by counting up the shooting clock, the moving image frame number is matched with the other imaging device 1 to capture the moving image. During the moving image shooting, a still image can be shot based on the reception of the radio signal of the broadcast communication. In this way, two images of a moving image and a still image having different image capturing timings can be synchronized with each other by the plurality of image capturing apparatuses 1.

In addition, a reference clock is transmitted at a constant cycle by radio waves from the imaging control device 2 serving as a master in synchronous communication wireless communication, and a plurality of imaging devices 1 serving as slaves in synchronous communication wireless communication transmit. Since the reference clock is received and its own communication clock is synchronized, the imaging control device 2 as a master and the plurality of imaging devices 1 as a slave can synchronize their communication clocks.
When the broadcast control radio signal transmitted from the imaging control device 2 is received by the radio control unit 108, the radio control unit 108 allocates a still image allocation signal synchronized with the transmission timing of the broadcast radio signal. Since the CPU of the central control unit 101 causes the still image shooting process to be executed as an interrupt process based on the still image interrupt signal, a plurality of imaging devices using the still image interrupt signal are output. It is possible to synchronize the shooting timings of the still images 1 with high accuracy.
Furthermore, when the reference clock transmitted from the imaging control device 2 is received by the wireless control unit 108, the wireless control unit 108 generates a communication clock synchronized with the reference clock and is synchronized with the communication clock. The moving image interrupt signal is output, and the CPU of the central control unit 101 causes the moving image shooting process to be executed as an interrupt process based on the moving image interrupt signal. It is possible to synchronize the shooting timing of the moving images of the apparatuses 1 with high accuracy.

  For example, in the case of wireless communication using a synchronous communication method based on the Bluetooth communication standard, a plurality of three or more devices (for example, a plurality of imaging devices 1,. Can do. Then, the imaging control device 2 transmits the radio signal of the broadcast communication in synchronization with the communication clocks synchronized with each other for all of the three or more imaging devices 1 in the communication synchronization state, The imaging timings of the plurality of imaging devices 1,... Can be synchronized on the basis of the radio signal of the broadcast communication, and the synchronous imaging can be performed more effectively using the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the imaging control device 2 that controls the plurality of imaging devices 1... Is provided, but is not limited to this example. For example, the wireless synchronization system 100 includes only the plurality of imaging devices 1. And any one of the plurality of imaging devices 1,... (For example, the imaging device 1A) may also serve as the imaging control device. That is, the configuration itself of the control module M of the wireless control unit 108 is substantially the same as that provided in the imaging control device, and therefore it is not always necessary to provide the dedicated imaging control device 2.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, while illustrated the interruption signal for still images as a 1st interruption signal, and illustrated the interruption signal for moving images as a 2nd interruption signal, It is not restricted to this, It can change arbitrarily arbitrarily. For example, the contents of the first interrupt signal and the second interrupt signal may be reversed, or interval shooting is performed to capture a plurality of still images at predetermined time intervals instead of moving image shooting. May be.

  Further, the configurations of the imaging device 1,..., And the imaging control device 2 described above are merely examples, and are not limited to these. Synchronous communication method in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized. Any configuration may be used as long as the apparatus can perform the wireless communication.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the functions of the communication control unit, the broadcast communication reception unit, and the imaging control unit are executed by a predetermined program or the like being executed by the CPU of the central control unit 101 of the imaging apparatus 1. It is good also as a structure implement | achieved.
That is, a program including a communication control processing routine, a broadcast communication reception processing routine, and a photographing control processing routine is recorded in a program memory (not shown) for recording the program. Then, the communication control processing routine causes the CPU of the central control unit 101 to function as a means for shifting to a communication synchronization state in order to perform synchronous communication wireless communication with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting. Anyway. Further, the broadcast reception processing routine causes the CPU of the central control unit 101 to function as means for receiving broadcast communication radio signals transmitted to the plurality of imaging devices 1 in a communication synchronization state. You may do it. Further, the CPU of the central control unit 101 may function as a means for photographing at the timing when the radio signal of the broadcast communication is received by the photographing control processing routine.

Similarly, the functions of the communication control unit, the instruction unit, and the broadcast transmission unit may be realized by executing a predetermined program or the like by the CPU of the central control unit 201 of the imaging control device 2.
That is, a program including a communication control processing routine, an instruction processing routine, and a broadcast communication transmission processing routine is recorded in a program memory (not shown) for recording the program. Then, the CPU of the central control unit 201 may function as a means for shifting to a communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication of a synchronous communication method with a plurality of imaging devices by a communication control processing routine. Further, the CPU of the central control unit 201 may function as a means for instructing photographing timings synchronized with each other by the instruction processing routine. In addition, the CPU of the central control unit 201 transmits broadcast communication radio signals to the plurality of imaging devices 1 in a communication synchronization state at the instructed shooting timing by the broadcast transmission processing routine. You may make it function as a means.

  Furthermore, as a computer-readable medium storing a program for executing each of the above processes, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM is applied in addition to a ROM or a hard disk. Is also possible. A carrier wave is also used as a medium for providing program data via a predetermined communication line.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the scope of claims attached to the application of this application will be added below. The item numbers of the claims described in the appendix are as set forth in the claims attached to the application of this application.
[Appendix]
<Claim 1>
Synchronous communication means for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication by the synchronous communication means with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
Broadcast receiving means for receiving broadcast radio signals transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
First photographing control means for photographing at the timing when the broadcast communication wireless signal is received by the broadcast communication receiving means;
An imaging apparatus comprising:
<Claim 2>
The first photographing control means is instructed to shoot a still image regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication when the broadcast communication radio signal is received by the broadcast communication receiving means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein still image capturing is performed by a first still image capturing method that immediately executes still image capturing.
<Claim 3>
The first photographing control means is configured to provide the first still image photographing method on condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the broadcast communication radio signal is received by the broadcast communication receiving means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a still image is taken by the camera.
<Claim 4>
Whether the first photographing control means is one in which the data contents of the broadcast communication instruct the photographing of a still image when the broadcast communication wireless signal is received by the broadcast communication receiving means. The method according to claim 1, wherein still image shooting is performed by a second still image shooting method that executes still image shooting when it is determined whether or not to instruct shooting of a still image. Imaging device.
<Claim 5>
The first photographing control means is instructed to shoot a still image regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication when the broadcast communication radio signal is received by the broadcast communication receiving means. First still image capturing method for immediately capturing still images, and determining whether or not the data content of the broadcast communication is for instructing to capture still images, and instructing to capture still images 2. The still image shooting according to claim 1, wherein a still image is shot by any one of the second still image shooting methods for performing still image shooting when the image is to be captured. Imaging device.
<Claim 6>
Imaging means;
By using the own communication clock synchronized with another imaging device by performing the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method by the synchronous communication means, the self-photographing clock is used for the own communication clock. Photographing clock synchronization means for synchronizing the clock;
6. A second imaging control unit configured to perform imaging by the imaging unit in synchronization with the imaging clock synchronized with the imaging clock synchronization unit. 6. The imaging device described in 1.
<Claim 7>
The first shooting control means controls shooting of a still image,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second shooting control unit controls shooting of a moving image.
<Claim 8>
The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first shooting control unit causes a still image to be shot during shooting of a moving image under the control of the second shooting control unit.
<Claim 9>
The second imaging control means identifies a frame number of a frame image constituting a moving image by counting up the imaging clock;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the synchronous communication unit transmits a signal instructing a timing for matching the frame numbers of moving images with another imaging apparatus.
<Claim 10>
The synchronous communication means performs wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with an imaging control device that controls synchronous imaging by the plurality of imaging devices,
The imaging control device becomes a master in the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method, transmits a reference clock at a constant cycle by radio waves,
The plurality of imaging devices are slaves in the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method, receive the reference clock transmitted from the imaging control device, and synchronize their communication clocks. The imaging device according to any one of 1 to 9.
<Claim 11>
When the broadcast communication radio signal transmitted from the imaging control device is received by the broadcast communication receiving means, a first interrupt signal synchronized with the transmission timing of the broadcast radio signal is output. A wireless control unit;
A central control unit that, when the first interrupt signal output from the wireless control unit is input, causes a still image shooting process to be executed as an interrupt process based on the first interrupt signal; The imaging apparatus according to claim 10.
<Claim 12>
The wireless control unit further receives the reference clock transmitted from the imaging control device, generates a communication clock synchronized with the reference clock, and generates a second interrupt synchronized with the communication clock. Output signal,
When the second interrupt signal output from the wireless control unit is input, the central control unit causes the moving image shooting process to be executed as an interrupt process based on the second interrupt signal. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized.
<Claim 13>
The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein any one of the plurality of imaging devices also serves as the imaging control device.
<Claim 14>
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synchronous communication unit performs wireless communication using a synchronous communication method based on a Bluetooth communication standard.
<Claim 15>
Synchronous communication means for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication by the synchronous communication means with a plurality of imaging devices;
Instructing means for instructing imaging timing synchronized by the plurality of imaging devices;
Broadcast transmission means for transmitting a radio signal of broadcast for the plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state at the photographing timing instructed by the instruction means;
An imaging control apparatus comprising:
<Claim 16>
The wireless communication of the synchronous communication method, the three or more devices are simultaneously in the communication synchronization state,
16. The imaging control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the broadcast communication transmission unit transmits the broadcast communication radio signal to all devices in the communication synchronization state.
<Claim 17>
The communication control means shifts to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication by the synchronous communication means with three or more imaging devices that perform synchronized photographing,
The imaging control device according to claim 16, wherein the broadcast transmission unit transmits the broadcast communication radio signal to the three or more imaging devices in the communication synchronization state.
<Claim 18>
The broadcast transmission means transmits the broadcast radio signal to all the devices in the communication synchronization state in synchronization with the communication clocks synchronized with each other. The imaging control device according to 1.
<Claim 19>
The imaging control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the synchronous communication unit performs wireless communication in a synchronous communication method based on a Bluetooth communication standard.
<Claim 20>
An imaging method using an imaging apparatus that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
A process of shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
A process of receiving radio signals for broadcast communication transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
A process of photographing at the timing when the wireless signal of the broadcast communication is received;
An imaging method comprising:
<Claim 21>
An imaging control method using an imaging control device that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
A process of shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with a plurality of imaging devices;
A process of instructing the synchronized shooting timing of the plurality of imaging devices;
A process of transmitting radio signals for broadcast communication to the plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state at an instructed shooting timing;
An imaging control method comprising:
<Claim 22>
A computer of an imaging apparatus that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method that transmits and receives data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
Broadcast communication receiving means for receiving broadcast radio signals transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
Shooting control means for shooting at the timing when the broadcast communication radio signal is received by the broadcast communication receiving means,
A program characterized by functioning as
<Claim 23>
A computer of an imaging control apparatus that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with a plurality of imaging devices;
Instructing means for instructing photographing timing synchronized with the plurality of imaging devices,
Broadcast transmission means for transmitting broadcast communication radio signals to the plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state at the photographing timing instructed by the instruction means;
A program characterized by functioning as

100 wireless synchronization system 1, 1A, 1B, 1C imaging device 101 central control unit 104 imaging control unit 104a first control unit 104b imaging clock synchronization unit 104c second control unit 108 wireless control unit 2 imaging control device 201 central control unit 207 Wireless control unit M Control module M1 Synchronous communication unit M2 Synchronous communication control unit M3 Broadcast communication transmission unit M4 Broadcast communication reception unit

Claims (23)

Synchronous communication means for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication by the synchronous communication means with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
Broadcast receiving means for receiving broadcast radio signals transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
Wherein and a first imaging control means for the imaging in broadcast timing when the radio signal communication is received by the broadcast reception means,
The first shooting control means immediately takes a picture as if the shooting was instructed when the broadcast radio signal was received by the broadcast communication receiving means, regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. An imaging apparatus that performs imaging by a first imaging method that executes The first imaging control means, when the radio signal of the broadcast is received by the broadcast receiving unit, on a condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied, the first shooting method the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that performing that shooting by. The first imaging control means, wherein when the radio signal of the broadcast by the broadcast receiving unit is received, whether the data content of the broadcast is or not to instruct shooting determines imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second shooting Taking that by the shadow method to perform shooting when in a thing to instruct shooting. Synchronous communication means for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication by the synchronous communication means with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
Broadcast receiving means for receiving broadcast radio signals transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
First shooting control means for shooting at the timing when the broadcast radio signal is received by the broadcast receiving means,
The first imaging control means, direct the when the radio signal of the broadcast is received by the broadcast receiving unit, regardless of the data content of the broadcast, as shooting is instructed a first shooting method of performing a shooting in Chi, determines whether or not or not to instruct the shadow data content of this broadcast is shooting, when was to instruct shooting of the second still image capturing method of performing a shooting, features and to that imaging device that performs shooting that by any one of the method selected. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first imaging control unit controls imaging of a still image. Imaging means;
By using the own communication clock synchronized with another imaging device by performing the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method by the synchronous communication means, the self-photographing clock is used for the own communication clock. Photographing clock synchronization means for synchronizing the clock;
6. A second imaging control unit configured to perform imaging by the imaging unit in synchronization with the imaging clock synchronized with the imaging clock synchronization unit. 6. The imaging device described in 1. Before Stories second imaging control means, the image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the controller controls the moving image capturing.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first shooting control unit causes a still image to be shot during shooting of a moving image under the control of the second shooting control unit. The second imaging control means identifies a frame number of a frame image constituting a moving image by counting up the imaging clock;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the synchronous communication unit transmits a signal instructing a timing for matching the frame numbers of moving images with another imaging apparatus. The synchronous communication means performs wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with an imaging control device that controls synchronous imaging by the plurality of imaging devices,
The imaging control device becomes a master in the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method, transmits a reference clock at a constant cycle by radio waves,
The plurality of imaging devices are slaves in the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method, receive the reference clock transmitted from the imaging control device, and synchronize their communication clocks. The imaging device according to any one of 1 to 9. When the broadcast communication radio signal transmitted from the imaging control device is received by the broadcast communication receiving means, a first interrupt signal synchronized with the transmission timing of the broadcast radio signal is output. A wireless control unit;
A central control unit that, when the first interrupt signal output from the wireless control unit is input, causes a still image shooting process to be executed as an interrupt process based on the first interrupt signal; The imaging apparatus according to claim 10. The wireless control unit further receives the reference clock transmitted from the imaging control device, generates a communication clock synchronized with the reference clock, and generates a second interrupt synchronized with the communication clock. Output signal,
When the second interrupt signal output from the wireless control unit is input, the central control unit causes the moving image shooting process to be executed as an interrupt process based on the second interrupt signal. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized.   The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein any one of the plurality of imaging devices also serves as the imaging control device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synchronous communication unit performs wireless communication using a synchronous communication method based on a communication standard of Bluetooth (registered trademark) . Synchronous communication means for performing wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which the communication clock of the communication partner and the communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
When a radio signal for broadcast communication is received , the synchronous communication means wirelessly communicates with a plurality of imaging devices that immediately perform shooting as instructed to shoot regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state for communication;
Instructing means for instructing imaging timing synchronized by the plurality of imaging devices;
The shooting timing instructed by the instruction means, the broadcast transmitting means for transmitting a radio signal of the broadcast as an object a plurality of imaging devices has become the communication synchronization state,
An imaging control apparatus comprising: The wireless communication of the synchronous communication method, the three or more devices are simultaneously in the communication synchronization state,
16. The imaging control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the broadcast communication transmission unit transmits the broadcast communication radio signal to all devices in the communication synchronization state. The communication control means shifts to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication by the synchronous communication means with three or more imaging devices that perform synchronized photographing,
The imaging control device according to claim 16, wherein the broadcast transmission unit transmits the broadcast communication radio signal to the three or more imaging devices in the communication synchronization state.   The broadcast transmission means transmits the broadcast radio signal to all the devices in the communication synchronization state in synchronization with the communication clocks synchronized with each other. The imaging control device according to 1.   The imaging control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the synchronous communication unit performs wireless communication in a synchronous communication method based on a Bluetooth communication standard. An imaging method using an imaging apparatus that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
A process of shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
A process of receiving radio signals for broadcast communication transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
When the wireless signal of the broadcast communication is received , regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication, a process of immediately performing shooting as an instruction for shooting ,
An imaging method comprising: An imaging control method using an imaging control device that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
When a wireless signal for broadcast communication is received, the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method is performed with a plurality of imaging apparatuses that immediately perform shooting as instructed to perform shooting regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. A process of shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform communication;
A process of instructing the synchronized shooting timing of the plurality of imaging devices;
At the indicated photographing timing, a process of transmitting a radio signal of the broadcast as an object a plurality of imaging devices has become the communication synchronization state,
An imaging control method comprising: A computer of an imaging apparatus that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method that transmits and receives data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform wireless communication of the synchronous communication method with another imaging apparatus that should perform synchronized shooting;
Broadcast communication receiving means for receiving broadcast radio signals transmitted to a plurality of imaging devices in the communication synchronization state;
Wherein A program to function as the imaging control means for radio signals broadcast communication is taken by the received timing by the broadcast reception means,
When the broadcast communication receiving means receives the broadcast communication radio signal, the shooting control means immediately executes shooting as an instruction for shooting regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. A program characterized by that. A computer of an imaging control apparatus that performs wireless communication of a synchronous communication method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication synchronization state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and a communication clock of the communication partner are synchronized,
When a wireless signal for broadcast communication is received, the wireless communication of the synchronous communication method is performed with a plurality of imaging apparatuses that immediately perform shooting as instructed to perform shooting regardless of the data content of the broadcast communication. Communication control means for shifting to the communication synchronization state in order to perform communication;
Instructing means for instructing photographing timing synchronized with the plurality of imaging devices,
The shooting timing instructed by the instruction means, broadcast transmitting means for transmitting a radio signal of the broadcast as an object a plurality of imaging devices has become the communication synchronization state,
A program characterized by functioning as

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